Sampling system for use with surface ionization spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/580,323, entitled: “Sampling System For Use With Surface IonizationSpectroscopy”, inventor: Brian D. Musselman, filed Oct. 13, 2006, whichapplication claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/778,874, entitled: “Sampling System For Use With SurfaceIonization Spectroscopy”, inventor: Brian D. Musselman, filed Mar. 3,2006. These applications are herein expressly incorporated by referencein their entireties.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the following application: “SamplingSystem For Use With Surface Ionization Spectroscopy”, inventor: Brian D.Musselman, application Ser. No. 12/275,079, filed on Nov. 20, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the improved collection and transfer ofanalyte ions and neutral molecules for more efficient sampling by aspectroscopy system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the invention of the gas effusion separator in the 1960's byWatson and Biemann and its improvement, the jet separator, invented byRyhage, it has been possible to efficiently remove carrier gases fromthe flow of gaseous molecules exiting the end of a Gas Chromatography(GC) column. The gases commonly used in the GC experiment includeHelium, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen. In all cases described in the literaturethe species passing through the jet separator are present as neutralatoms and molecules. The molecules exiting from the jet separatordirectly enter into the mass spectrometer (MS) where they are ionized inan ionization source, which is operating under high vacuum conditions.The prime function of the jet separator used in GC/MS is to remove thecarrier gas while enriching the flow of neutral molecules of analytemolecules into the mass spectrometer.

In contrast to the GC instrument, an atmospheric pressure ionization(API) instrument generates ions external to a mass spectrometer highvacuum system. This being the case, the majority of API source MSinstruments generate ions in the presence of an electrical field. Thiselectric field is also used to direct the ions formed during theionization process towards the inlet of the MS. In desorptionelectrospray ionization (DESI) and other desorption ionizationtechniques, the generation of ions at atmospheric pressure can beaccomplished with the sample at ground potential. For example, there isoften no component of the system to which an electrical potential can beapplied in order to selectively focus ions towards the mass spectrometerinlet. In these circumstances, the transfer of ions into the inlet ofthe MS relies in large part on the action of the vacuum to draw the ionsinto the MS inlet. MS sources often contain multiple pumping stagesseparated by small orifices, which serve to reduce the gas pressurealong the path that the ions of interest travel to an acceptable levelfor mass analysis; these orifices also operate as ion focusing lenseswhen electrical potential is applied to their surface.

A desorption ionization source allowing desorption and ionization ofmolecules from surfaces, ionization direct from liquids and ionizationof molecules in vapor was recently developed by Cody et al. This methodutilizes low mass atoms or molecules including Helium, Nitrogen andother gases that can be present as long lived metastables as a carriergas. These carrier gas species are present in high abundance in theatmosphere where the ionization occurs.

While this ionization method offers a number of advantages for rapidanalysis of analyte samples, there remain encumbrances to the employmentof this technique for a variety of samples and various experimentalcircumstances. For example, it would be advantageous to increase thesensitivity of the desorption ionization technique by improving thetransfer efficiency of sample related ions from their point ofgeneration to the mass analyzer of the mass spectrometer. Further, itwould be desirable to be able to direct the desorption ionization sourceat an analyte sample at a significant distance from the massspectrometer. In addition, desorption ionization would have more impactif it was possible to utilize the technique on conventional high vacuumionization sources encountered in most mass spectrometers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention include devices and methods for collectingand transferring analyte ions formed within a carrier gas to the inletof a mass spectrometer. In embodiments of the invention, the carrier gascontains metastable neutral excited-state species, charged and neutralmolecules. In other embodiments of the invention, a jet separator isused to more efficiently transfer ions and molecules into a high vacuumregion of the mass spectrometer. In contrast to the prior art, whichonly describes the use of jet separators for enriching the transfer ofmolecules into the MS; in embodiments of the invention a jet separatoris used to selectively enrich the transfer of ions by separating thoseions from the carrier gas. Using the jet separator, the sensitivity ofdesorption ionization techniques can be increased by allowing thesampling of a significantly greater carrier gas volume per unit of timewhere the abundance of ions per unit volume of the carrier gas isuniform at its inlet. Further, using the jet separator as the firstvacuum stage of pumping with the desorption ionization source permitsmore efficient collection of analyte at a significant distance from themass spectrometer. In addition, with a jet separator desorptionionization source can be coupled with a conventional high vacuumionization source mass spectrometer.

While external ion sources are known for use with MS, the problem oftransporting sufficient ions to the MS typically results in loweredsensitivity. The problem is exacerbated with an external ionizationsource operated at or near atmospheric pressure, since the MS typicallyoperates at high vacuum. Jet separators were previously used to isolatean analyte of interest from a carrier gas prior to entry of the neutralanalyte molecules into a MS. However, the principle of using a jetseparator together with an external ion source to introduce ions intothe MS has not previously been appreciated. Thus in one embodiment ofthe invention, a gas separator consists of an external ion source and ajet separator. In an embodiment, such a gas separator is used in a MS.In various embodiments of the invention, a gas separator can be anydevice capable of stripping small neutral atoms or molecules away from acharged species being transferred into a high vacuum region. Inalternative embodiments of the invention, electric fields can be appliedto surfaces of the gas separator to improve the transmission of ionsinto the MS.

In various embodiments of the invention, the gas separator comprises asource of ions, a plurality of tubes with a gap between the tubes and avacuum. Typically the gas separator is made up of an inlet tube and anoutlet tube where the proximal end of the inlet tube is closest to theexternal ionization source and the distal end is furthest from theexternal ionization source. The vacuum can be applied at the exit of atleast one of the distal tubes and can also be applied at one or more ofthe gap between the plurality of tubes. In various embodiments wire meshscreens can enclose the gap between the plurality of tubes.

The proximal end of the inlet tube is typically a Z-axis distance fromthe external ionization source of between a lower limit of approximately10⁻³ m and an upper limit of approximately 10¹ m. A heater for heating,the proximal and/or the distal end of the inlet tube and the proximaland/or the distal end of the outlet tube, can be used with the gasseparator. In alternative embodiments of the invention, one or morecapacitive surface on the one or more inlet and/or outlet tubes to whichone or more potential can be applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailbased on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art jet separator as used with aconventional GC/MS instrument;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a prior art jet separator with aconventional GC/MS high vacuum ionization source;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a typical API-MS of the prior art;

FIG. 4(A) is a schematic diagram of a jet separator as a means oftransferring ions into a MS with skimmers-based API inlet in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4(B) is a schematic diagram of a jet separator as a means oftransferring ions into a MS with a capillary-type API inlet inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4(C) is a schematic diagram of a jet separator as integrated with aconventional API-MS in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator fabricated withinlet and exit tubes in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the presentinvention where a jet separator is connected with a sampling tube;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator with the grid atits inlet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator with a grid at theinlet of the sampling tub in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a jet separator fabricated with a gridbetween the inlet and exit tubes in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a jet separator with a sampling tubeand a grid and the sample connected to the sampling tube at a pointintermediate the grid and the jet separator in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an effusion type separator inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an effusion type separatorincorporating a wire mesh cage to which a potential can be applied inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an effusion type separatorincorporating a perforated cage to which a potential can be applied inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator fabricated withinlet and outlet tubes having thicker diameter tubes compared with FIG.4( c) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator fabricated withinlet and outlet tubes having different inner diameter tubes inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a jet separator fabricated withinlet and outlet tubes having different lengths in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a jet separator where the outlet tubeof the gas separator spans more than one skimmer in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 (i)-(vi) is the mass chromatogram trace of the relativeabundance of ions sampled from the ionization region as a function ofthe potential applied to the surface of the inlet and outlet tube of thegas separator;

FIG. 19 (i)-(vi) is a total ion chromatogram trace of the relativeabundance of ions sampled from the ionization region as a function ofthe relative vacuum being applied between the inlet and outlet tubes ofthe gas separator; and

FIG. 20 shows the mass spectra derived from the ionization of ambientatmosphere (i) after and (ii) prior to application of a vacuum to thegas separator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term jet separator will be used to refer to the prior art. The termgas separator will not be used to refer to the prior art. The term jetseparator may also be used to refer to a charged species and/or aneutral molecule separator. The term gas separator will be used to referto a charged species and/or a neutral molecule separator. The term‘inlet tube’ will be used to refer to the low vacuum side of the gasseparator. The term ‘exit tube’ may be used to refer to the high vacuumside of the gas separator. The term ‘outlet tube’ will be used to referto the high vacuum side of the gas separator.

The recent development of a non-radioactive Atmospheric PressureIonization (API) method for ionization of analytes as described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,949,741 which is hereinafter referred to as the '741 patentand which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entiretyallows for the Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART®) of analyte samples.The '741 patent discloses a means for desorption ionization of moleculesfrom surfaces, liquids and vapor using a carrier gas containingmetastable neutral excited-state species. The device described in the'741 patent utilizes a large volume of carrier gas that is typicallyHelium and/or Nitrogen although other inert gases that can generatemetastable neutral excited-state species may be used.

Since the invention of the gas effusion separator in the 1960's byWatson and Biemann and its improvement, the jet separator, invented byRyhage (U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,027 which is herein expressly incorporatedby reference in its entirety), it has been possible to efficientlyremove carrier gases from the flow of gaseous molecules exiting the endof a Gas Chromatography (GC) column. The jet separator device enabledthe commercial development of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS) systems. In the GC/MS, gas flow through the wide bore GC columnranged from 20 to 30 milliliters per minute. These instruments wereextensively used starting in the 1970's and until the late 1980's whenlow flow capillary GC column instruments were adopted as the industrystandard, thus removing the need for the jet separator. The gasescommonly used in the GC experiment include Helium, Hydrogen, andNitrogen. The molecules exiting from the jet separator directly enterinto the mass spectrometer where they are ionized by an ionizationsource, which is operating under high vacuum conditions. A vacuum ofatmospheric pressure is 1 ton. Generally, ‘approximately’ in thispressure range encompasses a range of pressures from below 10¹ ton to10⁻¹ ton. A vacuum of below 10^(˜)3 ton would constitute a high vacuum.Generally, ‘approximately’ in this pressure range encompasses a range ofpressures from below 5×10⁻³ ton to 5×10⁻⁶ ton. A vacuum of below 10⁻⁶ton would constitute a very high vacuum. Generally, ‘approximately’ inthis pressure range encompasses a range of pressures from below 5×10⁻⁶ton to 5×10⁻⁹ ton. In the following, the phrase ‘high vacuum’encompasses high vacuum and very high vacuum. The prime function of thejet separator is to remove the carrier gas while increasing theefficiency of transfer of neutral molecules including analyte moleculesinto the mass spectrometer. After the improvements introduced by Ryhagein the jet separator, Dawes et al. describe a molecular separator indetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,553 and a variable molecular separator inU.S. Pat. No. 4,654,052, which are both herein expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety.

In contrast to the GC/MS instrument, the API-MS provides the means togenerate ions external to a mass spectrometer high vacuum system. Thisbeing the case, the majority of API source instruments generate ions inthe presence of an electrical field. This electric field is also used todirect the ions formed during the ionization process towards the inletof the Mass Spectrometer (MS). The electric field is typicallyestablished by placing a potential on a needle or tube through which asolution containing dissolved analyte molecules flows. In these API-MSinstruments the high vacuum inlet is integrated into the instrumentdesign facilitating reduction of gas flow and focusing of ions into thehigh vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. The action of focusingions into the mass spectrometer is completed when the potential appliedto the inlet and that applied to the needle where the ionization acttogether to transfer ions selectively into the mass spectrometer, whilethe majority of neutral molecules and atmospheric gases diffuse awayinto the surrounding atmosphere.

The DART® ionization source developed by Cody et al. and described inthe '741 patent, is a method for desorption of ions at atmosphericpressure. DART® utilizes low mass atoms or molecules including Helium,Nitrogen and other gases that can be present as long lived metastablesas a carrier gas. These carrier gas species are present in highabundance in the atmosphere where DART® ionization occurs.

In DART® and DESI, the generation of ions at atmospheric pressure can beaccomplished with the sample at ground potential. In the case ofdesorption with these ionization sources there are situations in whichthere is no component of the system to which an electrical potential canbe applied in order to selectively focus ions towards the massspectrometer inlet. The process relies in large part on the action ofthe vacuum to draw the ions into the inlet of the MS. Prior art inAPI-MS includes many systems where single lenses as well as a pluralityof lenses act as ion focusing elements, positioned in the ion formationregion, to effect ion focusing post-ionization at atmospheric pressure.Ions formed in the atmospheric pressure region are selectively drawn toor forced towards the mass spectrometer inlet by the action of theelectrical potential applied to these focusing elements. Atmosphericpressure sources often contain multiple pumping stages separated bysmall orifices. The multiple pumping stages serve to reduce the gaspressure to an acceptable level for mass analysis, along the path thatthe ions of interest travel. The orifices also operate as ion focusinglenses when electrical potential is applied to their surface. AlternateAPI-MS designs use a length of narrow diameter capillary tube to reducethe gas pressure in place of the multiple element stages. In thesedesigns the area surrounding the capillary inlet is either a metalcoated glass surface or metal piece to which an electrical potential maybe applied.

FIG. 1 shows the prior art jet separator 120, made up of an inlet side130 and an outlet side 140. The stream of analyte molecules dispersed ina stream of carrier gas molecules travel through the inside diameter112, exit the inlet side of the jet separator 110 at an orifice 114. Theanalyte molecules traverse the gap 105 and are sucked through theorifice 124 into the inner diameter 122 of the outlet side of the jetseparator 117. The lighter mass carrier gas molecules once exiting theinlet tip 114 are drawn by the lower relative pressure in the region 160compared with the region 155 outside the chamber 162 formed by thevacuum 180.

FIG. 2 shows the prior art transfer of ions directly to a source region240 of a mass spectrometer where a region around a conventionalionization source 252 is under high vacuum. Typically, neutral moleculesand gases exit 230 a chromatographic column entering a conventional jetseparator 220 where the gas is selectively removed under a vacuum 280while the heavier mass molecules pass into a source 252 where they areionized and subsequently are pushed by the action of the electricalfield in the source 252 thru a series of lenses 254 for focusing beforeentering the mass analyzer 248 for analysis.

FIG. 3 shows the prior art device used for transfer of ions directly toa mass spectrometer vacuum inlet of an atmospheric pressure ionizationmass spectrometer (API-MS) instrument. The ionization source for anAPI-MS typically includes a needle or tube 326 to which a potential 322is applied. The needle 326 is aligned with an orifice 328 of a series ofone or more skimmers 332, 334 that operate as an ion-focusing lens whenelectrical potentials 336 338 are applied to the skimmer 332, 334surfaces in order to direct the ions into one or more mass analyzers342, 344 aligned to permit transfer of ions to an ion detector 352. Theorifice also provides a boundary between pumping stages, which serves toreduce the gas pressure, along a path that ions of interest travel, toan acceptable level for a mass analyzer 348 and ion detector 352 tofunction properly.

A conventional jet separator in the GC/MS experiment separates analytemolecules from a carrier gas using a vacuum. In the DART® experiment,the analyte ions are present with a carrier gas. The gases that jetseparators have been typically designed to selectively remove carriergas from analyte molecules are the same or similar to the typicalcarrier gasses used in the DART® experiment. A DART® MS experiment has avacuum available. Unexpectedly, it was found that a jet separator couldfunction to separate not only analyte molecules in a carrier gas streambut also positively and negatively charged analyte ions in a stream ofcarrier gas.

In embodiments of the invention, ions formed through desorptionionization in a stream of carrier gas are directed towards a targetcontaining analyte molecules. In embodiments of the invention, thetarget can consist of one or more of the following classes of objects, asolid, a liquid, and a gas. FIG. 4(A) shows embodiments of theinvention, where the analyte ions generated from the target are passedthrough a jet separator 420, enter an orifice 428, and a series of oneor more skimmers 432, 434 with applied focusing potentials 436, 438 intoa mass analyzer 448, and impact with an ion detector 452.

In embodiments of the invention, shown in FIG. 4(B) the analyte ions areformed in proximity to the inlet side of a jet separator 430. Inembodiments of the invention, the ions will be sucked into a jetseparator by a vacuum 480. In embodiments of the invention, aninstrument can operate with the jet separator inlet side 430 atatmospheric pressure. In other embodiments of the invention, the inletside 430 can operate at elevated pressure. In alternative embodiments ofthe invention, the inlet side 430 can operate at reduced pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, a DART® source produces a largevolume of Helium, air molecules and analyte ions of interest in the samevolume. The difference between the mass of the carrier gases and themass of the analyte of interest can be one to several orders ofmagnitude. Thus the lighter mass carrier gases can be adequatelyseparated from the higher mass analyte ions by a jet separator based onthe differences in the relative momentum. In another embodiment of theinvention, the jet separator can preferentially enrich the stream ofhigh mass ions in the atmosphere while removing the low mass solventmolecules and solvent related ions which have been formed in order toeffect ionization of samples from a surface. In a further embodiment ofthe invention, the jet separator can preferentially enrich the stream ofhigh mass ions in the atmosphere while removing the low mass solventmolecules and solvent related ions which have been formed in order toeffect ionization of samples originating from an original source used togenerate reagent ions. In one embodiment of the invention, one or moreof the following carrier gases selected from the group consisting ofmethanol, dimethylsulfoxide and H₂O solvent molecules are used withDART® and are separated out with a jet separator.

In embodiments of the invention, the incorporation of a jet separatorenables the collection of larger volumes of gas containing ions fortransfer of those ions to a high vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer.As shown in FIG. 4(B), in embodiments of the invention the large volumeof gas enters a gap 405 between an inlet 430 and an exit 440 side of ajet (gas) separator with the heavier mass ions and non-ionized moleculestransiting the gap from inlet to exit side with greater efficiency thanthe lighter gas molecules and atoms. In embodiments of the invention,the jet (gas) separator is made up of two or more substantially co-axialtubes 410 and 417 with inner diameters 412 and 422. In embodiments ofthe invention, the tubes may have a reduced outside diameter at theirrespective ends 414 and 424. The jet (gas) separator is located in aregion 462, which is under reduced pressure 460 compared with theoutside region 455, due to the action of a vacuum 480. In one embodimentof the invention, a jet separator is used as an inlet for a conventionalnon-API-MS instrument. In another embodiment of the invention, a jetseparator is used as an inlet for an API-MS instrument.

In embodiments of the invention, a mass spectrometer source can beoperated with no ionization means. In an alternative embodiment of theinvention, a mass spectrometer can have an ionization means includingbut not limited to electron impact, chemical ionization, and desorptivechemical ionization in either positive or negative ionization mode.

FIG. 4(C) shows an embodiment of the invention, where the ionizationsource in FIG. 3 has been modified so that a vacuum stage 450 of aninstrument includes a replacement of its skimmer 442 type orifice withan exit side inner tube orifice 422 of a jet (gas) separator 420 to forman inlet to that first moderate vacuum region 450 which is separated byanother orifice 432 and skimmer 444 from a high vacuum region of a massspectrometer 460 containing a mass analyzer. In embodiments of theinvention, the inlet side 430 of a jet separator can be at atmosphericpressure and a vacuum is applied at 480.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the invention, where the API region ofthe instrument shown in FIG. 3 has been modified so that the exit tube1740 of the gas separator is directly coupled to the high vacuum regionof the mass spectrometer 1760 bypassing the two skimmers 1742, 1744 suchthat the gas and molecules entering the gas separator are subject tovacuum from both the gas separator vacuum pump 1780 and the massspectrometer system 1760.

A gas separator can include a jet separator combined with an externalion source. A gas separator has the advantage that it can increase thenumber of ions transmitted from an external ion source into a massspectrometer without deleteriously affecting the performance of the massspectrometer. By increasing the diameter of a tube(s) used to transmitthe ions from the external ion source into the mass spectrometer moreions can be transmitted. By incorporating a gas separator into the tubeto transport ions to the mass spectrometer, the high vacuum region ofthe mass spectrometer can be minimally disturbed (or otherwise remainundisturbed). The gas separator can act to pump away neutral atoms andsmall molecules present in the stream of ions being transported from theexternal ion source to the mass spectrometer.

Example 1 Application of a Potential to a Jet Separator

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention where an inlet side and anexit side of a jet separator can be operated at ground potential, atpositive potential or negative potential. In an embodiment of theinvention, one or more tubes which make up the jet separator can beelectrically charged, a jet separator can be designed with an inlet 530and exit 540 to permit uniform application of potentials 522 and 524 andthereby a uniform field in the gap 505 under a vacuum 580. In anembodiment of the invention, a potential applied to metal surfaces of aninlet and an exit tube can be the same potential in order to provide formaximum ion transfer. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, apotential applied to metal surface of an inlet 522 and an exit line 524can differ from each other in order to provide for maximum ion transfer.In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the gap 505 may beincreased in length in order to provide for maximum ion transfer. In analternative embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the inlet 530and exit 540 may have different internal diameters 512, 522 from eachother in order to provide for maximum ion transfer.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention where the outer diameter ofthe inlet tube 1430 and an outlet tube 1440 have a large diameterrelative to the inner diameter 1412, 1422 of the respective tubes. Inanother embodiment of the invention FIG. 15 the inner diameter 1512 ofthe inlet 1530 and inner diameter 1522 of the outlet 1540 tubes can bedifferent. In another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 16, the lengthof the inlet 1630 and outlet 1640 tubes can be different to provide formore efficient collection of gasses and molecules for analysis.

In Example 1, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 2 Handling High Carrier Gas Volume

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with a jet separator inletextension sampling tube 690. In an embodiment of the invention, a jetseparator inlet extension sampling tube 690 increases the ability todraw carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species,air molecules, sample related molecules and sample related ions fromlonger distances into the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of theinvention, the jet separator inlet extension sampling tubing 690 islinear. In an embodiment of the invention, the jet separator inletextension sampling tubing 690 is curved. In an embodiment of theinvention, the jet separator inlet extension sampling tubing 690 isflexible. In an embodiment of the invention, the jet separator inletextension sampling tubing 690 is heated. In an embodiment of theinvention, the jet separator inlet extension sampling tubing 690 isoperated at ambient temperature. In an embodiment of the invention, thejet separator inlet extension sampling tubing 690 can be metal, flexiblemetal, ceramic, plastic, flexible plastic or combinations thereof. In anembodiment of the invention, the jet separator inlet extension samplingtubing can range in length from 10 millimeters to 10 meters or more. Inan embodiment of the invention, the jet separator inlet extensionsampling tubing 690 can be made of non-woven materials. In an embodimentof the invention, the jet separator inlet extension sampling tubing 690can be made from one or more woven materials. In prior art, capillarytransfer lines with limited diameter and short length have been used toachieve transfer of ion generated during surface ionization directlyinto the mass spectrometer by a combination of electrical potential andvacuum action. In an embodiment of the invention, a jet separator with anarrow inlet side inside diameter 612 is used to restrict gas flowentering the mass spectrometer 622 allowing the jet separator 620, togive optimum enrichment of ions for transfer to a mass spectrometer. Inan embodiment of the invention, a jet separator with wider insidediameter 612 is used on an inlet side to increase gas flow into a jetseparator 620 irrespective of whether it functions ideally as a jetseparator, in that less than optimum enrichment of ions for transfer toa mass spectrometer can be acceptable in order to improve flow of gascontaining ions through a jet separator inlet extension sampling tube690. In an embodiment of the invention, the jet separator inletextension sampling tube inlet inside diameter 692 and exit insidediameter 694 can be different in order to increase efficiency oftransfer of ions across a distance in the presence of carrier andatmospheric gases.

In Example 2, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 3 Metal Grid Enhancement of a Jet Separator

FIG. 7 shows embodiments of the invention, where collection of ions forsampling by a mass spectrometer, via a jet separator, is improved byaddition of a grid surrounding an ionization area in a desorptionionization experiment. In an embodiment of the invention, the grid ismade of an open ended mesh cage 770. In an embodiment of the invention,the mesh cage is cylindrical in shape. In an embodiment of theinvention, the grid is made of metal. In an embodiment of the invention,the mesh cage is wire. In an embodiment of the invention, the metal wiremesh cage can be operated at ground potential. In an embodiment of theinvention, the metal wire mesh cage can be operated at positivepotential 772 as required for constraining the ions of interestgenerated from a sample. In an embodiment of the invention, the metalwire mesh cage can be operated at a negative potential 772 as requiredfor constraining the ions of interest generated from a sample. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage is in contact withone or both of an inlet and an outlet tube of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage is not in contactwith either an inlet or an outlet tube of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention, a cage of metal mesh 770 encircles andextends from an end of a jet separator inlet 730 for use in improvingefficiency of collection of ions generated at an inlet of a jetseparator 720. In an embodiment of the invention, a cage can besupported by overlapping either inlet or exit tubes to bridge a gap 705completely, or be mounted as a physical extension of a tube.

FIG. 8 shows embodiments of the invention where a grid surrounding anionization area in the desorption ionization experiment is remote fromthe jet separator 820. In an embodiment of the invention, the grid ismade of an open ended mesh cage 870. In an embodiment of the invention,the mesh cage is cylindrical in shape. In an embodiment of theinvention, the grid is made of metal. In an embodiment of the invention,the mesh cage is wire. In an embodiment of the invention, the metal wiremesh cage can be operated at ground potential. In an embodiment of theinvention, the metal wire mesh cage can be operated at positivepotential 872 as required for constraining the ions of interestgenerated from a sample. In an embodiment of the invention, the metalwire mesh cage can be operated at a negative potential 872 as requiredfor constraining the ions of interest generated from a sample. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage is in contact withone or both of an inlet and an outlet tube of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage is not in contactwith either an inlet or an outlet tube of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention, the cage encircles and extends from an endof a jet separator inlet extension sampling tube 890 for use inimproving efficiency of collection of ions generated at positions remotefrom an inlet of a jet separator 820. In an embodiment of the invention,a cage can be mounted at a location in between the end of a jetseparator inlet extension sampling tube 892 and the inlet 894 of a jetseparator 820. In an embodiment of the invention, a wire mesh cage actsto enhance transfer of ions between an inlet tube 812 and an exit tube822. In an embodiment of the invention, a cage can be supported byoverlapping either inlet or exit tube to bridge a gap 805 completely, orbe mounted as a physical extension of a tube.

In Example 3, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 4 Application of Fields to Metal Grid

FIG. 9 shows embodiments of the invention where the gap between an inletside 930 and an exit side 940 of a jet separator 920 is spanned by agrid 970. In an embodiment of the invention, a potential 932 and 942 isapplied to the inlet side 930 and an exit side 940 respectively of a jetseparator 920. In an embodiment of the invention, the grid is made of anopen ended mesh cage 970 allowing passage of gas atoms and neutralmolecules to a low pressure vacuum region 980 of a jet separator 920. Inan embodiment of the invention, the mesh cage is cylindrical in shape.In an embodiment of the invention, the grid is made of metal. In anembodiment of the invention, the mesh cage is wire. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the metal wire mesh cage can be operated at groundpotential 972. In an embodiment of the invention, the metal wire meshcage can be operated at positive potential 972 as required forconstraining the ions of interest generated from a sample. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage can be operated ata negative potential 972 as required for constraining the ions ofinterest generated from a sample. In an embodiment of the invention, themetal wire mesh cage is in electrical and or physical contact with oneor both of an inlet and an outlet tube of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention, the metal wire mesh cage is not inelectrical and/or physical contact with either an inlet or an outlettube of a jet separator. In an embodiment of the invention, the electricfield inside the metal wire mesh cage is homogeneous. In an embodimentof the invention, the electric field inside the metal wire mesh cage isnon-homogeneous. In an embodiment of the invention, a magnetic field isgenerated inside the cage. Ions generated inside of a cage areconstrained in a volume of the cage for a longer period of time thusincreasing a potential for their collection in a volume of gas beingsucked into an inlet of a jet separator. In alternative embodiments ofthe invention, a wire mesh cage does not span the gap between an inletside 930 and an exit side 940 of a jet separator 920.

In Example 4, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 5 Application of an Ion Guide

In other embodiments of the invention, an ion guide spans the gapbetween an inlet side and an exit side of a jet separator. In anembodiment of the invention a direct current voltage is applied to theion guide. In other embodiments of the invention a radio frequencyvoltage is applied to the ion guide.

In Example 5, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator. Inan embodiment of the invention the gas separator further comprises anion guide. The advantage of the ion guide is that ions are transmittedefficiently along the length of the guide while atoms and neutralmolecules remain unaffected and thus a vacuum will have a greatertendency to strip away neutral molecules from entering the outlet sideof the gas separator. Thus the ion guide increases the transmission ofions from the inlet tube to the outlet tube of the gas separator.

Example 6 Vaporization of Molecules through Heating

In embodiments of the invention, the collection of molecules fortransfer to an area of ionization is completed by subjecting an area ata terminus of an inlet suction tube to a high temperature sourceincluding a heat lamp, flame, various types of lasers, heat sourceactivated by use of an electrical circuit and other heat sources capableof applying heat to a surface. In an embodiment of the invention, samplemolecules collected by the action of a vacuum provided by a jetseparator are subsequently ionized by the action of the desorptionionization source as a carrier gas containing metastable neutralexcited-state species, air molecules, sample related molecules andsample related ions mix along a transfer tube.

In Example 6, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 7 Vaporization of Molecules in a Closed System

In embodiments of the experiment, volatile molecules are dispersed in anatmosphere around a sample in a uniform, unfocused manner. A stream ofgas is used to force a gas containing vaporized molecules through anexit into a sampling tube where a carrier gas containing metastableneutral excited-state species generated by the desorption ionizationsource is present and being drawn towards a inlet of a jet separator.Interaction of the volatilized molecules with a desorption ionizationcarrier gas results in ionization of those molecules in a sampling tubeand subsequent transfer of those ions into an inlet of a jet separatorfor enrichment as they are transferred into a mass spectrometer.

In Example 7, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 8 Vaporization of Molecules in a Closed System

FIG. 10 shows embodiments of the invention, where a sample is enclosedin a chamber 1092 where volatile molecules from that sample are free todisperse into the volume of the chamber atmosphere. The sample chambermay either completely surround the sample or be constructed in such amanner that it makes an enclosure when placed on an object such as aflat surface. The sample may be at ambient temperature, subject to hightemperature source including a heat lamp, flame, various types oflasers, heat source activated by use of an electrical circuit and otherheat sources capable of applying heat to a sample or frozen in the caseof extremely volatile samples. The vaporized molecules either leave thechamber 1092 exiting through tube 1098 by their own action or may beforced by the flow of a gas originating from a device 1096, entering thechamber through tube 1094, to exit through tube 1098 into the volume ofthe transfer tube 1090 at a point along its length that is between thesource 1070 and the jet separator 1020. The tube 1090 is attached to asource 1070, which is generating a carrier gas containing metastableneutral excited-state species that is flowing into the attached transfertube 1090 at its terminus. Interaction of volatile sample molecules andcarrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species in thesampling tube 1090 results in ionization of the sample molecules alongthe volume of the sampling tube. The ions formed in the volume of 1090enter into the inlet 1012 of a jet separator for enrichment as they aretransferred into a mass spectrometer

In an alternate configuration FIG. 11 we envision the use of an effusiontype gas separator 1120. In this device an inlet tube 1130 of variableinternal diameter is attached to a porous glass tube 1183 to which anexit tube 1140 is attached so as to permit flow of gas containing ionsthrough the length of the gas separator. The porous glass tube issurrounded by an evacuation chamber 1162 which is connected to a vacuumpump 1180. Gasses and ions enter gas separator through the inlet 1130traveling towards the mass spectrometer. As the gas containing samplepasses through the porous region the smaller gas molecules and atoms areremoved by diffusion through into the low vacuum region 1162.

In an alternative configuration FIG. 12 a metal screen cylinder 1283 towhich a potential 1224 can be applied is positioned inside the volume ofthe porous tube to enable retention of ions by keeping an equalpotential around the ions as they travel through the gas separatorinside the volume of the tube while permitting the neutral carrier gasto diffuse into the pumping region 1262.

In alternative embodiments of the invention FIG. 13 porous glass tubes,plastic sieves, glass, machinable glass and ceramics, and porous ceramicto which a metal film or coating can be applied, metal mesh, glass linedmetal tubes, metal coated fused silica, metal coated machinable glass,and metal coated ceramic 1343 to which a potential 1324 can be appliedon its inside diameter surface is used to retain the ions while pumpingaway the neutrals as they diffuse through the porous tube into thepumping region 1362.

In Example 8, the jet separator can be replaced with a gas separator.

Example 9 Transfer of Ions Through the Gas Separator

Results of the application of an equal potential to both the inlet andoutlet tube of the gas separator are shown in FIG. 18 where the masschromatogram of the protonated quinine molecule ion is plotted as afunction of the potential applied to the inner and outer surface of thegas separator tubes. A 1 ng sample of quinine inserted in a glassmelting point tube was introduced in front of the DART® source andionized at atmospheric pressure. The potential applied to the inlet andoutlet tubes was raised and the relative abundance of the molecule wasmeasured over time. The voltage applied to the tube for each sample isindicated above each series of peaks, where (i) indicates 0 voltsapplied, (i) indicates 50 V, (ii) indicates 100 V, (iii) indicates 200V, (iv) indicates 300 V, (v) indicates 400 V and (vi) indicates 500 V.This indicates the unexpected result that a (relatively high) potentialapplied to a gas separator can increase the number of ions transmittedfrom atmospheric ionization sources into a mass spectrometer analyzerregion. The experiment further indicates that at lower potential rangingfrom 0 to 50V the relative abundance of the protonated molecule isreduced with respect to the abundance of ions detected at higherpotentials ranging from 100 to 400V.

The placement of two tubes on-axis with one another between theatmospheric pressure ionization region and the high vacuum inlet of themass spectrometer results in a population of those ions beingtransferred into the mass spectrometer for analysis. In the experimentwe understand that there are two different vacuum sources in the gasseparator. As the gas carrying neutral atoms, and molecules, chargedatoms and molecules and metastable atoms and molecules exits the inlettube they can either be pulled into the outlet tube where they aretransferred to the mass spectrometer or pulled into the low pressureregion of the separator where they exit into the vacuum pump. Thedifferential pressure of each region is combined to evacuate the inlettube. The experimental results plotted in FIG. 19 show the effect ofincreasing the vacuum applied in the region between the inlet tube andthe outlet tube on ion transmission into the mass spectrometer. A valveis used to adjust the vacuum applied to the gas separator. In FIG. 19,the TIC trace in the region (i) corresponds with 0 turn of the valve,region (ii) corresponds with 1 turn of the valve, region (iii)corresponds with 2 turns of the valve, region (iv) corresponds with 3turns of the valve, region (v) corresponds with 4 turns of the valve andregion (vi) corresponds with 5 turns of the valve. This experimentindicates the unexpected result that a vacuum applied to the gasseparator can increase the number of ions transmitted from atmosphericionization sources into mass spectrometer analysis regions. The resultsalso show that as the valve is opened and the vacuum increases, thetransmission of ions into the mass spectrometer increases (see regions(ii), (iii) and (iv)). However, further opening of the valve results inreduced transmission as shown in regions (v) and (vi). The data alsoshows that as the vacuum is further increased it has the effect wheremore of the sample ions are being diverted away from the massspectrometer. This value is observed to vary as a function of thedistance between the inlet and outlet tubes of the gas separator. For aspecific geometry the vacuum can be adjusted in order to provide optimumtransfer of ions through the outlet tube of the gas separator into themass spectrometer.

The DART® source enables ionization of materials remote to the API inletof the mass spectrometer, however in instances where the distance isincreased the abundance of ions derived from the ambient atmosphere ispronounced with respect to those derived from the sample of interest.Enabling the use of long inlet tubes for sampling remote regions byextending the DART® source operating zone away form the immediateAPI-inlet area of the mass spectrometer is shown to reduce thecontribution of molecules present in the ambient atmosphere is shown inFIG. 20 where the a comparison of the mass spectrum generated (i) withand (ii) without the gas separator functioning is shown. In FIG. 20( ii)ions derived from normal laboratory air dominate the mass spectrum whilethose ions are present at reduced levels once a vacuum (FIG. 20 (i)) isapplied to the region between the inlet and outlet tubes in the vacuumon condition. This experiment indicates an unexpected result thatincreasing the volume of gas sampled at the opening of the inlet tubecan increase the number of ions transmitted from atmospheric ionizationsources into mass spectrometer analysis regions and thereby the overallsensitivity of analysis.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the gas separator can be the ability to increase thevolume of gas sampled and introduced into the high vacuum region of theMS. Because atoms and small neutral molecules can be stripped away fromions in the gas separator, the high vacuum can remain unaffected whilethe sensitivity of analysis increases.

Uses

The gas separator can be combined with a variety of atmosphericionization sources including DART®, DESI and atmospheric pressure MALDIused in MS. In each case by increasing the number of ions introducedinto the MS, the sensitivity of the technique can be increased. The gasseparator can also be used in a number of other spectroscopic devicesthat rely on transferring ions formed at approximately atmosphericpressure or low vacuum to regions of high vacuum for detection. The gasseparator can also be used in surface science spectroscopic devices thatpreferably operate at ultra high vacuum where ions formed by a processthat introduces a gas would be deleterious and therefore removal of thegas would be beneficial. The gas separator can also be used with othersuitable detectors including a raman spectrometer, an electromagneticabsorption spectrometer, an electromagnetic emission spectrometer and asurface detection spectrometer. The kinds of analyte detectors that canbe used with a gas separator are not limited to those specified butinclude those detectors that a person having ordinary skill in the artwould envisage without undue experimentation.

Wire mesh cage includes a perforated tube where the holes can bemachined or alternatively a porous ceramic, etc. The term “based on” asused herein, means “based at least in part on”, unless otherwisespecified.

A capacitive surface is a surface capable of being charged with apotential. A surface is capable of being charged with a potential, if apotential applied to the surface remains for the typical duration timeof an experiment, where the potential at the surface is greater than 50%of the potential applied to the surface.

Example embodiments of the methods, systems, and components of thepresent invention have been described herein. As noted elsewhere, theseexample embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only,and are not limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered bythe invention. Such embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Forexample, it is envisaged that, irrespective of the actual shape depictedin the various Figures and embodiments described above, the outerdiameter exit of the inlet tube can be tapered or non-tapered and theouter diameter entrance of the outlet tube can be tapered ornon-tapered.

Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but shouldbe defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

1. A gas ion separator comprising: (a) an external ionization source;(b) a plurality of substantially co-axial tubes, wherein the pluralityof tubes are spaced such that there is a gap between the plurality ofsubstantially co-axial tubes; and (c) a vacuum region, wherein at leasta portion of one of the plurality of substantially co-axial tubes arelocated in the vacuum region.
 2. The gas ion separator of claim 1,further comprising one or more cages encircling one or more of the gapsbetween the plurality of substantially co-axial tubes.
 3. The gas ionseparator of claim 1, further comprising one or more capacitive surfaceon one or more of the plurality of substantially co-axial tubes, whereinone or more potential are applied to the one or more capacitivesurfaces.
 4. The gas ion separator of claim 1, wherein one or more ofthe plurality of substantially co-axial tubes is made of a materialselected from the group consisting of glass, resistively coated glass,glass lined metal tube, coated fused silica, metal coated fused silica,machinable glass, metal coated machinable glass, ceramic, metal coatedceramic and metal.
 5. The gas ion separator of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the plurality of substantially co-axial tubes has a proximalportion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is located inpart in a region of approximately atmospheric pressure, wherein thedistal portion is located at least in part in a region of approximatelyhigh vacuum, such that the at least one substantially co-axial tubesspans between a region of approximately atmospheric pressure and aregion of approximately high vacuum.
 6. A system for detecting ananalyte comprising: (a) an ionization source; (b) an inlet side tubehaving two ends, with one of the ends proximal to the ionization source;(c) a vacuum region; (d) an outlet side tube having two ends, with oneof the ends distal to the ionization source, wherein the inlet side tubeand the outlet side tube are substantially co-axial; and (e) a detectorof the analyte.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the said detector isselected from the group consisting of mass spectrometer, ramanspectrometer, electromagnetic absorption spectrometer, electromagneticemission spectrometer and surface detection spectrometer.
 8. A gas ionseparator for introducing ions into a spectrometer comprising: (a) anexternal ionization source, wherein one or more ions are formed by theexternal ionization source; and (b) a jet separator, wherein one or moreions formed by the external ionization source are transmitted throughthe jet separator into the spectrometer, wherein the jet separator ismade up of an inlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end and anoutlet tube having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the proximalend of the inlet tube is closest to and the distal end is furthest fromthe external ionization source, wherein the inlet tube and the outlettube are substantially co-axial, wherein the inlet tube is positioned ina region of approximately atmospheric pressure, wherein the outlet tubeis positioned in a vacuum region.
 9. The gas ion separator of claim 8,wherein the vacuum region is between: a lower limit of approximately 10¹Torr; an upper limit of approximately 10² Torr.
 10. The gas ionseparator of claim 8, wherein the vacuum region is between: a lowerlimit of approximately 5×10⁻⁶ Torr; an upper limit of approximately5×10⁻³ Torr.
 11. The gas ion separator of claim 8, wherein the vacuumregion is between: a lower limit of approximately 5×10⁻⁶ Torr; an upperlimit of approximately 5×10² Torr.
 12. The gas ion separator of claim 8,further comprising a heater directed to at least one of the proximal endof the inlet tube, the distal end of the inlet tube, the proximal end ofthe outlet tube and the distal end of the outlet tube.
 13. The gas ionseparator of claim 8, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube arespaced such that there is a gap between the inlet tube and the outlettube, wherein a vacuum generates the vacuum region and is applied to thegap.
 14. The gas ion separator of claim 13, wherein the vacuum in thevacuum region can be varied to adjust for a specific geometry of the gasion separator.
 15. The gas ion separator of claim 13, wherein the vacuumin the vacuum region can be varied to adjust for the gap between theinlet tube and the outlet tube.
 16. The gas ion separator of claim 13,wherein the vacuum in the vacuum region sucks ions into the proximal endof the inlet tube of the gas ion separator.
 17. The gas ion separator ofclaim 13, further comprising a cage encircling the gap between the inlettube and the outlet tube.
 18. An ionization source comprising: (a) anatmospheric pressure ionization source; (b) one or more tube, whereinthe one or more tube is positioned proximal to the atmosphericionization source; (c) a skimmer, wherein the skimmer is positioneddistal to the atmospheric ionization source, wherein the one or moretube is positioned such that there is a gap between the skimmer and thetube; and (d) a vacuum, wherein the vacuum is applied to the gap betweenthe skimmer and the one or more tube.
 19. A gas ion separatorcomprising: (a) an external ion source; (b) a vacuum region; and (c) ajet separator; wherein the jet separator is made up of an inlet tubehaving a proximal end and a distal end and an outlet tube having aproximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the inlettube is closest to and the distal end is furthest from the externalionization source, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube are spacedsuch that there is a gap, wherein the vacuum region is in contact withthe gap.
 20. The gas ion separator of claim 19, wherein the inlet tubeand the outlet tube are substantially coaxial.
 21. The gas ion separatorof claim 20, wherein the atmospheric pressure ionization source is aDirect Analysis Real Time (DART) ionization source.